What is the most common type of knee injury?
There are two cruciate ligaments in the knee: the anterior, or cranial, cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior, or caudal, cruciate ligament (PCL.) 90% of knee injuries in dogs are ruptured ACLs. When the ACL is torn, the meniscus on the inside of the knee often becomes damaged as well. If left untreated, the dog can develop arthritis in the joint due to the damaged meniscus. When should you suspect that your dog may have a torn cruciate ligament? Whistler dogs often tear their ACLs when they twist their knee while running, jumping or playing. They also can do it when they step in a hole while running. However, sometimes dogs tear their ACL without a major injury. In these dogs the knee joint has become weakened for an unknown reason. Even though the cause of the weakening is unknown, it is thought that hypothyroidism, arthritis and poor knee conformation are contributing factors. At the time of the ACL tear, there is significant pain so the dog usually yelps and then holds the affe
